Le Creuset Signature 5.5-Qt. Round French & Dutch Oven Review

Beautiful and lightweight cast-iron dutch oven with 5 ½ quarts, large handles, and a heat-resistant knob

For the chef who has style, the Le Creuset LS2501-2667 comes in a lot of great colors in addition to being a great French & Dutch oven. It’s made from lightweight enameled cast-iron and holds up to 5 ½ quarts of soup, chili, or any other dish you could think of. It has large handles for security and a heat-resistant knob so you can peek at your food without burning yourself.

5 ½ quarts with excellent heat distribution

Like any good dutch oven, the Le Creuset has to have excellent heat distribution. Cast-iron is a very good material for slow, even cooking, and the interior enamel provides more resistance to the wear-and-tear cookware is bound to experience. Due to the heat distribution and how the dutch oven is crafted, you can make anything from seared steak to slow-cooked pork. If you need more space, the Le Creuset Signature dutch oven also comes in a 7 1/4-quart model.

45% larger handles

Holding a dutch oven can be tricky. They are heavy and after you’ve cooked something, they get very hot. The Le Creuset comes with handles 45% larger than previous models so you always feel secure when you’re handling the oven.

Heat-resistant knob

Another part of the dutch oven that gets hot is that knob on top. It’s all too-easy to grab it without thinking to take a look at how the meal under the cover is doing. This can result in a nasty burn. The knob on the Le Creuset is not only larger, but it’s heat-resistant up to 500 degrees. You should always use oven mitts when handling a dutch oven, but if you should forget, you won’t burn yourself like you would with a non-heat resistant knob.

Strengths

Gorgeous color

This is a really beautiful dutch oven. You have seven color options ranging from cherry, Caribbean blue, palm, dune, and so on. Whatever color you choose, the enamel is made to last a long time and is resistant to cracking and chipping.

Works for both slow cooking and searing

The Le Creuset dutch oven is a very versatile cooking tool and can be used for both slow cooking and searing. Whether you need to slow-roast a chicken or quickly sear tuna, the enameled cast-iron is up to the task.

Lightweight

Most dutch ovens can be very heavy and weigh 20 pounds or more. The Le Creuset is designed to be as lightweight as possible and only weighs 11 pounds. This makes it easier to transport and safer for general use.

Weaknesses

Expensive

The Le Creuset is pretty pricey. It would be a big purchase for most people. However, it isn’t a specialized piece of kitchen equipment that you only use for a few things. It’s especially convenient if you don’t have a lot of cookware to begin with as you can use the dutch oven for everything.

Overall Review

The Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5 ½-Quart Round French (Dutch) Oven is an impressive dutch oven. It not only makes a ton of food for a crowd, it’s also beautiful and comes in 7 colors to match any kitchen decor. It’s lightweight at only 11 pounds, and with the heat-resistant knob and large handles, it’s very safe to use. Make anything in this dutch oven, from desserts to soups to barbeque.